I have a sealed 2 1/2 gallon jug of OMC oil that was given to me. It's TCW3 and looks like a modern label, but I don't know the age. Does 2 cycle oil have a shelf life?
Hello FP<br /><br />Never heard of a oil shelf life. If it has been sealed in a jug, I'd shake it up good and use it. If it has been exposed to atmosphere for a long long time, I guess there is a chance of bacterial growth, but that would be evident. If it looks good, I'd use it.....<br />
Though I'd update my oil issue. I wanted to transfer some of the oil from the sealed jug to a smaller container. Shook it up, broke the foil seal, and poured away. It looked kind of "lumpy", so I emptied the entire jug. Towards the bottom especially, it had the appearance and consistency of strawberry jam. Very clumpy. Needless to say, it's not going to be added to my fuel! What would cause this? Freezing? Bacteria? Oprah?
Fouled, I cannot speak for omc oil, but I know for a fact that merc's oil had a similar problem back in the late 80's...freezing temp's would cause the oil to 'gel' and this gelatin lookin stuff would settle to the bottom of the containers...it was absolutely NO problem if oil was used for pre-mix, but it would cause intake screen plugging on oil injected units....
My dad has a 1989 70hp Yammy with oil injection. A friend of his gave him some Merc Quicksilver that he used in the motor the next year. He had to have his powerhead rebuilt. The diagnosis " the oil had jelled or coagulated and blocked the flow of oil to his injector". Throw it out. Or lawnmower wheel lubricant, or it may even be good on toast. Not in the motor.
